Death & Funeral of Princess Irene of Greece

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Bio

Princess Irene was born in Cape Town, South Africa on May 11th, 1942 to Prince Paul and Princess Frederica of Greece and Denmark (later King & Queen of Greece). Irene was the couple’s 3rd and last child. Irene was born during WWII, while the family was living in exile. Irene’s uncle King George II was on the throne, during his 2nd reign.

In 1946, the family was able to return to Greece and took of residence in Psychiko. Shortly before Irene’s 5th birthday, her uncle King George II died childless. This made Irene’s father, King. King Paul reigned for 16 years and 11 months.

After her father’s death, Irene’s older brother Constantine ascended the throne. Princess Irene became heir presumed. Constantine did not have any children yet. And her older sister Sofia had renounced her place in succession by converting to Roman Catholic to mark Prince Juan Carlos of Spain (later King Juan Carlos).

Irene never married or had children. When the Greek Monarchy was abolished, she and her mother moved to India. After her mother’s death in 1981, Princess Irene moved to Spain. She lived in an apartment at the Zarzuela Palace, the residence of her sister Queen Sofia, and brother-in-law, King Juan Carlos.

In 2018, Irene became a citizen of Spain, and renounced her Greek citizenship.

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Funeral & Burial

Saturday, January 17th

• ? AM
  • Requiem Mass at Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Andrew and Saint Demetrius in Madrid, Spain

Monday, January 19th

• 8 AM to 10:30 AM
  • Princess Irene in coffin will lie in repose, in the Chapel of Saint Eleftherios.
• Noon
  • Funeral Service at The Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens, in Athens, Greece.
• ?
  • Buried at Royal Cemetery at Tatoi Palace, in Parnitha, Greece
    • Her parents, brother and other members of the Greek royal family are buried there.

Royal Attending Funeral

• Greek Royal Family
  • Absent
    • Princess Marie-Chantal – Due to mother’s recent surgery
      • Prince Odysseas – Due to School
      • Princess Olympia – Due to work commitments
• Spain Royal Family
  • Absent
    • King Juan Carlos – On doctor’s advice due to health and mobility
• Bavaria
  • Princess Sophie – Alexandra
  • Princess Elisabeth, Duchess in Bavaria
• Bulgaria
  • Prince Simeon
    • (Godson)
• Hanover
  • Prince Christian
    • (1st Cousin once removed)
• Romania
  • Princess Sophie
    • (1st cousin once removed)
• Serbia
  • Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine
    • (Friends and distant relatives)

The foreign royals in attenance were close friends or extended family of Princess Irene.

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